wally34949

I recently purchased an airline ticket from Southern Thailand to Northern Thailand on the Thai Airlines website. I was asked to type in my Star Alliance Frequent Flyer Number and I was happy with the price. When I went to check in at Hat Yai at the Thai Airlines counter, I was told that my flight was with Thai Smile so I would not be getting Frequent Flyer Miles and I would not have lounge access. I was given the seat assignment 36K, which was the sixth row of the plane next to the window on an Airbus A320, a single isle plane. I walked by the lounge which only had one visitor. Thai Smile was not able to give me my second boarding pass until I arrived in Bangkok where I had to go to the fourth floor and then go through security once again. My flight to Udon Thani arrived a few minutes late. Two days later I took a bus to the Laos border. This seemed to be the cheapest way to get to Laos.

The flights were fine but with so many good airlines in Asia, one should consider Tiger, Air Asia, and Bangkok Airlines.

I had another flight with Jet Star Asia, and I would avoid this airline. After purchasing the flight, I then tried many times to pay for baggage. My credit cards were rejected at least eight times. I even tried my Merrill Lynch card and it was rejected. When I arrived at the airport in Phnom Penh, I had to pay $40 USD to check a bag. This time they had no problems getting my credit card to work. The website says the charge is $40 Australian Dollars.

If you are planning to fly to South Asia, December to February is the best time to go--unless you like rain.

Kathie

Even though you were able to book this flight on the Thai site, this was not a Thai Air flight. It's a budget airline, and therefore, you had the problem with no FF miles, not able to get both boarding passes, etc.

wally34949

Why did they ask me to type in my FF Number?

DonTopaz

If you didn't notify your credit card-issuing bank before trying to pay for the baggage, it's likely you weren't able to use your credit cards to prepay for the baggage because your bank considered it a suspicious charge.

Let the bank know in advance, <u>especially</u> for an online purchase (or any purchase where the card is not physically used) that originates outside of No America or Western Europe.

simpsonc510

Wally, we just flew yesterday on NOK airlines from Don Mueng to Phuket. Very good price, no charge for overweight bags, one free checked bag per person at 15 kg, and somehow we managed "premium" seats in row 32, the 3rd row of seats. Mostly a pleasant experience other than waiting in long lines. This IS the busiest travel season in Thailand, and the airport was a madhouse!

That said, we have decided that next year we will drive to Phuket instead of flying. That way we can enjoy the scenery and the countryside. DS has driven in Thailand quite a lot and is comfortable doing so, even in Bangkok's crazy traffic.